The Chairman's Award Checklist Challenge

[IKE]

Check-List for "RCA" submission:
*RTM-Read the Manual. Verify everyone involved read the *relevant* portion of the rules.
*Benchmark other winning proposals by role model teams.-If you contqact them, many will give you their submissions or pointers.
*Make a list/plan for each requirement (last year for RCA was essay, presentation, video).
*Get above plans approved by mentors.
*Execute the plans in steps.
*Brainstorm and discuss approaches/themes for each finished product.
*Have reviews of "finished" products.
*Submit products that meet requirements on time.
*Don't forget why you are doing this...

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I focused on the submission as the submission is as important as the doing of good stuff towards winning the award. I know several amazing teams that submit mediocre submissions (so I have heard) that don't "win" the award.
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From a content perspective winning awards tend to have a mix of tangible results from various forms of impact. There tends to be a mix of high effort high reward, low effort low high reward, and low effort low reward items showcased. Have at least one new innovative item/effort each year. I know for FRC33, the Gas Station TV stuff was pretty easy to do and had a lot of judge appeal.

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Before I get any nasty grams on "Winning" please continue reading.

In flight checklists, they often have the reminder to "fly the plane" on the list to make sure folks involved don't forget the overall target when dealing with an emergency.
The "fly the plane" for RCA is remembering what the Award and the effort is about. I have seen a lot of non-winning RCA sub-teams in tears when their submission is not selected. While I can understand the dissappointment, there is a lot more to doing a Chairman's submission than winning the award. If you are doing a lot of good at spreading the message of FIRST, and being a Role Model Team for others, then you have a lot to be proud of.

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I still wish RCA committees could give out a RMT banner similar to the old website banners for Role Model Teams. While I understand the need for only 1 winner, I would really like to see an arean of RMTs called out with the winner selected from that group.